My recent time at Cornerstone was okay.  Nothing
to write home about.

Kathy Jo Pink




--- Pam <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I have severeish athetoid/spastic quad cp. I
> need help with most of my ADLs
> (Activities of Daily Living). I've been living
> on my own since I went to
> college 20 years ago (yikes!). I have lived
> alone and with friends. I hire
> attendants to assist me with: transfering in
> and out of bed, showering,
> dressing, preparing and eating meals, cleaning,
> opening mail and paying
> bills, shopping,, etc.. I find my attendants by
> advertising on the internet
> and/or in the local newspaper. Most of my
> attendants over the years have
> been college students. I usually have 5-7
> people working for me at a time -
> that way I'm not too dependant on any one
> person, and if one of my
> attendants is sick, I can find a sub for her.
> (I also like variety.)
>
> Every day I have help for about 2 hours in the
> morning, 1-2 hours around
> 5pm, and 45 minutes around 10:30pm. Some days I
> have 2-4 more hours of help
> for mail, shopping, etc.. I have my environment
> set up so I can function
> with out help between attendants, i.e. water
> and a snack where I can reach
> them hands free, my adaptive computer equipment
> accessible, my jacket on if
> it's cold out, etc.. I also have arrangments
> for help at work. On weekends,
> my boyfriend usually helps me with supper, etc.
> and I usually cook for us
> during the week and/or have my attendant do our
> dishes the next morning.
>
> I receive about $2300/month from the state of
> California to pay my
> attendants. I receive this money even though I
> work, because I wouldn't be
> able to work if I couldn't get up in the
> morning, and I wouldn't be able to
> pay rent if all my income went toward attendant
> care. Most states have
> programs to help pay for attendant care.
>
> Though I need assistance with many things, I am
> very independent. My
> attendants work for me -  they assist me in
> caring for myself, they do not
> take care of me! I make my own decisions, the
> essence of independence.
>
> What are your thoughts about living
> independently Kathy Jo? How was your
> recent time at Conerstone?
>
> Pam


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